The Quality Standards Resource Centre helps extend understanding of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which take effect from 1 November 2025. The Resource Centre will be updated to reflect key changes made to the draft strengthened Standards. You can search for resources by using keywords, or filtering by standard, outcome, audience and theme. Before using the Resource Centre, please read the terms of use.
Designing dementia-friendly care environments
This resource provides guidance for professionals on designing dementia-friendly care environments to help people living with dementia to make the best of everyday life. It includes dementia enabling environment principles and an example of how to design a space using the principles. The resource also includes links to other Dementia Australia resources about developing a dementia-friendly environment.
Dementia-friendly environments - Personal enjoyment
This resource provides guidance on fostering personal enjoyment for people with dementia, encouraging meaningful activities based on life history and familiar roles. It includes ideas for sensory engagement, physical activity, and social connection in home-like settings.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
Dementia-friendly environments - Interior design
This resource provides guidance on interior design elements that create a familiar, practical, and dementia-friendly environment. It includes strategies for lighting, colour, furniture, and surfaces to enhance safety, wayfinding, and comfort in care settings.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
Dementia-friendly environments - Designing for people with dementia
This resource provides design principles for creating dementia-friendly environments that support comfort, independence, and a sense of home. It includes guidance on optimising lighting, safety, social connection, and personalised spaces to enhance quality of life.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
Bedrooms and privacy
This resource offers guidance on maintaining personal identity for people with dementia by fostering respect, independence, and communication. It suggests environmental and social modifications to enhance dignity, such as personalising spaces, supporting mobility, and addressing unmet needs.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation, and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
COVID-19 Information for workplaces - General
This resource provides guidance on minimising the spread of COVID-19, including aged care settings. It outlines vaccine information, risk assessments, physical distancing, hygiene and rapid antigen testing in the workplace. It also contains key resources such as signage, posters and translated information.
How to clean and disinfect your workplace - COVID-19
This resource provides detailed guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting workplaces, including aged care settings, to minimise the spread of COVID-19. It outlines cleaning procedures for different surfaces and items, the proper use of disinfectants, and disposal of materials. It supports workplace hygiene by ensuring routine and post-exposure cleaning protocols.
Tools and aids to help at home
This resource outlines tools, aids, and technology to help people with dementia live safely and independently at home. It includes medication reminders, safety devices, communication tools, and sensory aids. The document provides guidance on selecting appropriate tools to support daily tasks, reduce stress, and maintain quality of life at home.
The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide
This resource outlines the basic principles of infection prevention and control and explains how to apply these principles using a risk-based approach. The guide supports implementation of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. It is a supplementary resource for the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare for aged care settings.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025.
Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources
This resource offers a range of environmental cleaning and infection prevention tools for healthcare settings, including guidelines for small organisations, cleaning audits, product selection, and emerging cleaning technologies. It supports aged care providers in maintaining clean, hygienic environments, helping them comply with infection control standards and ensure safety.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Environmental design resources handbook
This resource supports improvements to environments for people living with dementia. The resource includes information and background on the key design principles and environmental assessment tools. It also includes the Indigenous Aged Care Design Guide. The handbook can be accessed in full, or individually as 7 separate resources.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Using technology to improve the dining experience
This resource provides guidance on how technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile applications, can enhance the dining experience in aged care settings. These tools are designed to increase engagement, support meal choices, improve communication with families, and contribute to overall wellbeing by making mealtimes more enjoyable.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Hot water scalding
This page provides guidance for aged care providers on preventing and responding to hot water scalding incidents. It highlights the importance of staff oversight, proper training, and temperature checks when providing care. It also includes immediate first aid steps for burns, helping to reduce risks for vulnerable people, especially older people.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Reprocessing of reusable medical devices
This resource provides guidance on implementing updated standards for reprocessing reusable medical devices in health and non-health facilities. It supports compliance with AS 5369:2023, ensuring healthcare organisations follow national and international standards for safe equipment reprocessing to minimise infection risks and promote patient safety.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Keeping residents safe this summer
This resource offers guidance to aged care providers on keeping older people safe during summer. It includes strategies for managing heat exposure, hydration, and sun protection. It helps providers monitor vulnerable people, recognise signs of overheating, and implement preventative measures to ensure safety during hot weather.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Preventing equipment failures
This resource highlights the importance of preventing equipment failures in aged care settings. It outlines the need for regular maintenance checks, adherence to manufacturer guidelines, and proper record-keeping to ensure safety. The document also provides recommendations for improving the safety and reliability of critical devices, such as mobility hoists and medical equipment.
This resource may refer to information that will be updated from 1 November 2025 to align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards.
Dementia-friendly environments - Dining areas, kitchens and eating
This resource provides guidelines for creating dementia-friendly dining and kitchen spaces, emphasising sensory engagement, personalised meal experiences, and a home-like environment. It includes practical adjustments for lighting, noise, seating, and social interaction to enhance dining enjoyment.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.
Dementia enabling environments
The Dementia Enabling Environments website, developed by Alzheimer's WA, provides guidance and resources to help create enabling environments for a person living with dementia. It includes design principles for different environment types, include home and residential aged care facilities.
This resource was developed by a state/territory government or organisation and therefore its applicability and usefulness may be limited.